Known well throughout WHS both in the large sports community and beyond, athletic director Michael McGrath is widely recognized for his involvement in and attendance at nearly all sporting events. However, members of the WHS community may be curious about what exactly it means to be an athletic director. 

   McGrath already has his own perceptions of how many people see his job. 

   “People think my job is just watching games, but that is just one of 50 other things [I do],” McGrath said. “We have to make sure we have officials, buses on time, talk to coaches, and make sure that students are eligible [to play].”

   Beyond all of those responsibilities, McGrath’s job also includes involvement in organizations beyond WHS..

   “I go to a number of league athletic directors meetings, and I have to attend MIAA meetings,” McGrath said. “The MIAA has a number of policies that we have to adhere to and I have to make sure that we follow them.”

   Working alongside McGrath, assistant athletic director Coleen Lanats has helped to get all of this work done for WHS sports. 

   “[I] schedule fields for both the high school and middle school teams and youth organizations, set up for games, greet opposing teams and game officials,” Lanata said. “[I also] put together all of the letters and certificates that athletes receive at the end of each season.”

   Since being hired for the job in 2011, McGrath has been the athletic director of both the high school and the middle school. During his time here, he has witnessed both consistency and change.

   “Every year we see a new group of student athletes,” McGrath said. “I think our teams over the years have been pretty consistent with comradery, sportsmanship, teamwork.”

   Those who know his work best credit McGrath for helping to create the environment that has led to this consistency. Many students appreciate all of the work that McGrath has done for their teams over the years.

   “He is very dedicated and comes to almost all of our track meets,” junior Ben Tavares said. “I always see him helping set up and getting things organized whenever we have a home meet.”

   Other students who work with McGrath in their roles as team captains find him to be very supportive of their goals for their teams.

   “In the past the soccer captains and I have met with McGrath to talk about our soccer season,” junior Noah Silva said. “It was very helpful and we were able to talk about what we wanted to get out of our season and what we wanted it to look like.”

   McGrath has also worked with and helped past students participate in internships at WHS. 

   “Interns have been great to work with. Many times they will set or break down fields, run game clocks, help with crowd control or tickets and occasionally be at one field while I am at another field should we have multiple games going on at the same time,” McGrath said. “I think their favorite part about working in the Athletic Office is driving the Gator.”

   Despite being responsible for so many different sports and teams, McGrath has also forged personal relationships with some athletes.

   “During the times I have talked to McGrath, he has always been very supportive of me and has made me feel much better about myself,” sophomore Solana Varela said. 

   For McGrath, the personal connections are what he likes most about his role.

   “I love my job and I love coming to work every day. I love working with student athletes, our coaches, and our faculty, and I take pride in ensuring that I do a good job at Weston,” McGrath said. “A good athletic director is someone who takes pride in their school and someone who people are comfortable talking to.”

   Lanata also appreciates McGrath and all he does for WHS athletics.

   “One of my favorite parts of working with Mr. McGrath is that every day is different,” Lanata said. “Mr. McGrath has allowed me to take on new responsibilities and has given me the opportunity to experience all that it takes to run an incredibly successful athletic program.”